ostensible
[o-sten-suh-buh l]
- outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended: an ostensible cheerfulness concealing sadness.
- apparent, evident, or conspicuous: the ostensible truth of their theories.
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Origin of ostensible
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
plausible, avowed, professed, purported, apparent, demonstrative, exhibited, illusive, illusory, likely, manifest, notable, outward, pretended, quasi, seeming, so-called, specious, superficial, colorableExamples from the Web for ostensible
Contemporary Examples
And why would its ostensible spokesperson refuse to answer yes/no questions about them?
A trove of Bush-era emails that had been quote-unquote-lost resurfaced in 2009, the victim of an ostensible act of mislabeling.
The ostensible middle-ground approach, to “provide weapons an training” to the Ukrainians got about 25 perent of the vote.
Europe, Stunned by Reckless Russia, Mistrusts Feckless Ukrainian LeadersJames Kirchick
March 24, 2014
Oblivious self-entitlement is now so widespread and suitable for mockery that the ostensible cure has begun to follow in its wake.
It would seem that for all of its ostensible lack of vim and vigor, Israel Media Watch is a very effective organization.
Historical Examples
An ostensible pretext is never wanting to those who are resolved on war.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Its ostensible purpose was to complain of the picture postcards.
Where Angels Fear to TreadE. M. Forster
The ostensible cause of her removal was to make room for other prisoners.
Fox's Book of MartyrsJohn Foxe
Should not you write him an ostensible letter on the subject?
Memoirs of the Courts and Cabinets of George the ThirdThe Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
Not that he failed to secure himself by some ostensible precautions.
ostensible
- apparent; seeming
- pretended
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Word Origin
C18: via French from Medieval Latin ostensibilis, from Latin ostendere to show, from ob- before + tendere to extend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for ostensible
adj.
1762, "capable of being shown, presentable," from French ostensible, from Latin ostens-, past participle stem of ostendere "to show, expose to view; to stretch out, spread before; exhibit, display," from ob "in front of" (see ob-) + tendere "to stretch" (see tenet). Meaning "apparent, professed" is from 1771.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper